Air flow channel structure for air compressor

ABSTRACT

An air flow channel structure for an air compressor is disclosed. The air flow channel structure comprises a shell and four flow channel sections, in which one of the flow channel sections is not disposed on the shell to increase additional heat dissipation area, and this flow channel section is formed by a plastic tube to sustain air pressure pulse. Thus, the noise of the air flow channel structure can be reduced, and the outlet air flow rate can be smooth.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an air flow channel structure for an air compressor, and particularly to a structure for an air compressor to enhance heat dissipation efficiency and reduce the noise generated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presently, a compressor is a widely utilized product for human living usage. The compressor industry is rapidly developing in a variety of directions. Conventionally, the general problem of a compressor relates to the compressed air temperature and the noise generated. Generally in an air compressing process, a compressor provides pressure higher than the compressible upper limit pressure of the air, thus increasing the air temperature by compression. However, the high temperature reduces the life of the compressor and is uncomfortable and maybe harmful to the human body. In addition, the noise generated by the compressor machine and in the air compressing process makes people uncomfortable. Thus, there is a trend to solve the above-mentioned problems of the traditional compressor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention provides an air flow channel structure for an air compressor, which comprises an additional flow channel section outside of a shell to increase heat dissipation area and enhance heat dissipation efficiency thereof.

The invention further provides an air flow channel structure for an air compressor, in which the flow channel section outside the shell is formed by a plastic tube to sustain air pressure pulse. Thus, the noise of the air flow channel structure can be reduced, and the outlet air flow rate can be smooth.

The invention discloses an air flow channel structure of an air compressor. The air flow channel structure comprises a compressor element and a flow channel structure fixed to the compressor element. The flow channel structure comprises a shell and fourth flow channel sections, which includes a first flow channel section, a second flow channel section, a third flow channel section and a fourth flow channel section disposed in sequence. The first, second and fourth flow channel sections are independently disposed on the shell, and the compressor element is disposed between the first and second flow channel sections. The third flow channel section is a hollow structure disposed outside the shell as a bridging section between the second and fourth flow channel sections such that the goal to enhance heat dissipation efficiency and reduce the noise generated can be achieved.

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of an air flow channel structure of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of an air flow channel structure of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of an air flow channel structure of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of an air flow channel structure of the invention. The invention discloses an air flow channel structure of an air compressor. The air flow channel structure comprises a compressor element 10 and a flow channel structure fixed to the compressor element 10. The flow channel structure comprises a shell 20 and fourth flow channel sections, which includes a first flow channel section 30, a second flow channel section 32, a third flow channel section 34 and a fourth flow channel section 36 disposed in sequence. Descriptions of the flow channel structure will be hereafter described in detail with reference to the figures.

In the embodiment of the air flow channel structure, the compressor element 10 has a compressing cavity 12, and the compressor cavity 12 is connected to an outside environment by an inlet hole 14 and an outlet hole 16. A spacer 40 can be disposed between the shell 20 and the compressor element 10 to form an air-tight seal such that air would not leak from an air-leaking gap between the shell 20 and the compressor element 10. The first flow channel section 30, the second flow channel section 32 and the fourth flow channel section 36 are independently disposed on the shell 20 and connected together, but the third flow channel section 34 is not disposed on the shell 20. Instead, the third flow channel section 34 is disposed outside the shell 20 and connects as a bridging section between the second flow channel section 32 and the fourth flow channel section 36.

The above-mentioned flow channel sections can be further categorized as at least two portions, e.g. a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed in the shell, and the second portion comprises a cushioning element. Specifically, the first portion is formed by the first flow channel section 30, the second flow channel section 32 and the fourth flow channel section 36, and the second portion is formed by the third flow channel section 34, which comprises the cushioning element. The cushioning element is a hollow structure with a peripheral wall, and a portion of the peripheral wall is formed with an elastic material such that the third flow channel section 34 would be able to expand or shrink in response to the fluid pressure therein. The portion of the peripheral wall can be an elastic peripheral wall.

Furthermore, the third flow channel section 34 can be a tube, and the peripheral wall of the third flow channel section 34 can be made of a plastic material with elasticity. Thus, the third flow channel section 34 can conveniently connect the second flow channel section 32 and the fourth flow channel section 36 and can expand or shrink in response to the fluid pressure therein.

With the above-mentioned air flow channel structure, when the compressor starts operating, it compresses air from the outside environment to a predetermined location. Specifically, in the compressor element 10, air from the outside environment enters the compressing cavity 12 through the inlet hole 14 by the first flow channel section 30 to be compressed in the compressing cavity 12. The compressed air is vented to the second flow channel section 32 and flows to the third flow channel section 34. The third flow channel section 34 is formed with the plastic tube, and the additional volume of the third flow channel section 34 is located outside the shell 20. As a result, the third flow channel section 34 provides an expandable volume to contain the compressed air and increases the heat dissipation area, thus enhancing the heat dissipation efficiency thereof. Furthermore, the third flow channel section 34 is formed by a plastic material with elasticity such that it can sustain air pressure pulse and create a smooth outlet air flow rate. After passing the third flow channel section 34, the air flows to the fourth flow channel section 36 and exits the structure.

Accordingly, the air flow channel structure of the invention increases additional heat dissipation area and enhances the heat dissipation efficiency, and provides additional air cavity to reduce the noise.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements. 

1. An air flow channel structure for an air compressor, the air flow channel structure comprising: a compressor element; and a flow channel structure fixed to the compressor element, the flow channel structure comprising: a shell; and three flow channel sections, comprising a first flow channel section, a second flow channel section, and a third flow channel section disposed in sequence, the first and second flow channel sections disposed on the shell, the compressor element disposed between the first and second flow channel sections; wherein the third flow channel section is a hollow structure and comprises a peripheral wall, and a portion of the peripheral wall of the third flow channel is formed with an elastic material.
 2. The air flow channel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third flow channel section is a tube.
 3. The air flow channel structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third flow channel section is made of a plastic material with elasticity.
 4. The air flow channel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spacer is disposed between the shell and the compressor element to form an air-tight seal.
 5. The air flow channel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second flow channel sections are connected by a compressing cavity of the compressor element.
 6. The air flow channel structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the compressor cavity is connected to an outside environment by an inlet hole corresponding to the first flow channel section and an outlet hole corresponding to the second flow channel section.
 7. The air flow channel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a fourth flow channel section, one end of the fourth flow channel section connected to the third flow channel section and the other end of the fourth flow channel section connected to an outside environment.
 8. An air flow channel structure for an air compressor, the air flow channel structure comprising: a compressor element; and a flow channel structure fixed to the compressor element, the flow channel structure comprising: a shell; and a flow channel section connected to the compressor element for flowing a fluid, the flow channel section comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion disposed in the shell, the second portion comprising a cushioning element; wherein the cushioning element is a hollow structure and comprises a elastic peripheral wall.
 9. The air flow channel structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cushioning element is a tube.
 10. The air flow channel structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cushioning element is a tube made of a plastic material with elasticity.
 11. The air flow channel structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein a spacer is disposed between the shell and the compressor element to form an air-tight seal.
 12. The air flow channel structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flow channel section is connected to a compressing cavity of the compressor element.
 13. The air flow channel structure as claimed in claim 12, wherein the compressor cavity comprises an inlet hole connected to an outside environment and an outlet hole connected to the flow channel section. 